Rivet shank slotting machine with indexible work holding turret and means to preventrotation of rivet during indexing of turret



2,982,978 RIVET SHANK SLOTTING MACHINE WITH INDEXIBLE WORK HOLDING TURRET May 9, 1961 R. 0. WILSON AND MEANS TO PREVENT ROTATION 0F RIVET DURING INDEXING 0F TURRET 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 4, 1957 INVENTOR.

May 9, 1961 R. 0. WILSON 2,932,978

RIVET SHANK SLOTTING MACHINE WITH INDEXIBLE WORK HOLDING TURRET AND MEANS TO PREVENT ROTATION 0F RIVET DURING INDEXING 0F TURRET Filed March 4, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

INVENTOR. R4 YMOND 0. W/zsalv M y 1961 R. 0. WILSON 2,982,978

RIVET SHANK SLOTTING MACHINE WITH INDEXIBLE WORK HOLDING TU T AND MEANS TO PREVENT ROTATION 0F RIVET DURING INDEXING OF TURRET 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 4, 1957 INVENTOR. R4 YMOND d MASON BY 6 522m 2,982,978 ING TURRET R. 0. WILSON May 9, 1961 RIVET SHANK SLOTTING MACHINE WITH INDEXIBLE WORK HOLD AND MEANS TO PREVENT ROTATION OF RIVET DURING INDEXING OF TURRET 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 4, 1957 INVENTOR. 2A YMO/VD a l V/zso/v United States Patent nrvnr SHANK SLO'ITING MACHINE WITH IN- DEXIBLE WORK HOLDING .TURRET AND MEANS TO PREVENT ROTATION F RIVET DURING INDEXING or TURRET Raymond 0. Wilson, San Marino, Calif., assignor to Olympic Screw '& Rivet Corporation, Downey, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Mar. 4, 1957, Ser. No. 643,717 8 Claims. 01. -205 This invention relates .to a machine for slotting the ends of rivets and similar items, and deals'more particularly with a machine for cross-slotting the ends of rivets.

Certain. rivets are expanded into plate-holding or -riveting condition, not by peening or swaging the ends thereof, but by spreading said ends. The present machine contemplates novel, improved and highly eflicient means for cross-slotting the ends of rivets whereby the same may be spread.

' An object of the present invention is to provide a machine of the character referred to that embodies a novel combination of elements for feeding rivets and crossslotting the ends thereof, said combination including simplified means to hold the rivet so oriented during feed thereof that the cross-slots formed are accurately normal to each other.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the indicated character that is compact and does not require continual operator attendance, the present mechanism being positive operating to insure trouble-free operation. I v

A further object of theinvention is to provide, in a machine: of the above-indicated character, means that simultaneously performs a slotting operation on two rivet ends while the rivets are held properly coordinated rotationally. i l

The invention also has for its objects to provide such means that are positive in operation, convenient in use, easily installed in'a' working position and easily disconnected therefrom, economicalof manufacture, relatively simple, and ofgeneral superiority and serviceability. The invention also comprises noveldetails of construction and novel "combinations and arrangements of parts, which will more fully appear in the course of the following description. However, the drawings merely show and the following description merely describes, one embodiment of the present invention, which is given by way of illustration or example only. i

In the drawings, like reference characters designate similar par-ts in the several views. I I

vFig. 1 is a partly broken side elevational' view of a slotting machine according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a broken end view as seen from the right or drive-connected end of the machine.

' Fig. 3iis" atvertical sectional view as taken through the longitudinal center of the machine, showing the driving endthereof;

Fig. 4 is a similar view of the left or operating end of the slotting machine, the same being shown in slotting position. 7 I

ice

Fig. 5 is a fragmentaryelevational view showing rivetdislodging means used in the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a broken end view as seen from the left or operating end of themachine.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view as taken on line 77 of Fig. 4. I I

Fig. 8 is an end view of slotting means, the view beinga cross-section on line 8--8 of Fig. 4.. 1

Fig. 9 is an enlarged and fragmentary plan sectional erally, a frame 15, rivet-feeding means 16 preferably.

carried by the frame, a rivet-receiving turret ,17, means 18 to control feed of rivets to said turret, means 19 to intermittently index the turret 17 to successively advance rivets carried thereby, means 20 to hold the rivets nonrotationally in their slots, means 21 to .drive the feedcon-. trol means 18, locking means 22 to-hold the controlmeans stationary between successive feeding steps, a slotting head 23, means 24 to drive said head, means 25 to advance and retract the head relative to the turret 17 in synchrony with the turret-indexing movement, and means 26 to dislodge the slotted rivets from the turret during each advancing movement of the slotting head.

The frame 15 is shown as comprising a base 30 to.

which is afiixed respective end brackets 31 and 32, the

former to mount the driving means of the machine and the latter the operative means. As shown best in Figs.

1, 2 and 3, bracket 31 carries the feeding means 16, and,

the same is provided with a housing cover 33* that encloses portions of the drive means. Somewhat similarly,

the bracket 3-2. is provided with a housing cover 34 to enclose the means 19' and 20' as well as the locking means 21 of the operating end of the machine. The brackets 31 and 32 are shown as being upright and the same are longitudinally spaced. As best seenin Fig. 1, said brackets are connected by a bar 3-5v that extends between a boss 36 on bracket .31 and a b08837 formed on a hub 38 affixed to bracket 32 and extending in a direction toward the bracket 31.

The rivet-feeding means 1'6 is generally conventional and, per se, forms no part of this invention. The same .is

Thus, as seen in Figs. 4 and 7, the rivets arev stacked, being spaced by their larger heads 44, and the shanks v 45'- all extend in the same direction, in this case, toward the drive end of the machine.

The turret 17 comprises a head 46 that is provided with a set of seats 47 that are symmetrically arranged in circular form, as best seen in Fig. 7-. In the present instance,

eight seats are provided in right octagonal arrangement. While eight seats are preferred, four may be used or any;

multiple of four, thereby, at all times providing two seats at right angles to each other'with respect to the r of said head. Said axis coincides with the longitudinal center of a shaft 48 on which the turret head is mounted and which has bearing in the bracket 32 and the hub,

Patented May 9, 196 1 sleeve bushings 49 and 50 being provided as bearings forsaid shaft.

As can be seen from Figs. 7 and 9, clearance slots 51 are formed in the face of turret head 46 that is directed toward the slotting head, said slots being so disposed as to receive the slotting saws or discs 52 that are carried by slotting head 22.

The feed controlling means 18 comprises an escapement 53 that is driven by the means 54 from a rotary shaft 55, and feeds screws 56 that receive rivets released by escapement 53and which are driven by a gear train 57 from said shaft 55.

The escapement' 53 may take many different forms. As shown, the same comprises a transverse slide 58 that is reciprocated as by a crank and link 59 by said shaft "55. Said slide 58 is provided with upper and lower rivetreleasing blades 60 and 61, respectively, the same, during each full reciprocativemo'vement of the slide, intermittently releasing a rivet in chute 43 to fall, first on the lower blade 61 and then onto the feed screws 56.

Three feed screws 56 are shown, the same forming a rivet-receiving channel or trough, as can be seen in Fig. 4; Each screw is formed to have a helical groove to receive the heads 44 of the rivets with the shanks 45 thereof directed toward the turret head and in line with a seat 47 in said head. The pitch of screws 56 and their respective rotations are such that a rivet is advanced, shank first toward the aligned seat 47. It will be clear that such advance will push a rivet into the turret head so that its shank 45 will project from the opposite face of said head, as shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 9, and that the head 44 of said rivet will be brought into flush engagement with the near face of the turret head and clear of the ends of the feed screws 56.

The turret-indexing means 19 is best seen in Figs. 4 and 6. The same comprises a drive shaft 62 continuously rotated, through a gear train 63, by a pulley 64 which is driven by a motor (not shown) through the medium of a belt 65. Said drive shaft 62 spans between brackets 31 and 32 and has bearing in said brackets. A wheel 66 is provided on said shaft within housing cover 34, the same having a toothed portion 67 that, for each revolution of shaft 62, advances the shaft 48 a fractional part of a revolution. A star wheel 68 on shaft 48 cooperates with wheel 66, according to the number of wings 69 thereon, and advances such fractional part of a revolution. Since the turret head has eight rivet-receiving seats 47, wheel 68 has eight wings 69 and is advanced oneeighth of a revolution for each full revolution of shaft 62.

The means 19 that is illustrated is typical of intermittent gearingand the same, of course, may be varied.

During such intermittent rotation of the turret head 46, a rivet carried thereby is intermittently advanced in 45 increments around the axis of shaft 48. Thus, theoretically, such rivet goes through a lunar rotation around said axis. In practice, however, the rivet may be rotationally moved on its own axis, particularly as a result of a slotting operation or if the shank thereof has some looseness of fit in its seat 47. To obviate such inadvertent rotational movement of the rivets on their own axes, the means 20 is provided. Said means comprises a shoe 70, concentric with the circle on which seats 47 are arranged, and provided with a sharpened edge 71 that frictionally engages the heads 44 of the rivets and lightly bites thereinto under the bias of one or more springs 72 that press the shoe 70 outwardly. Thus, the rivets ride along the otherwise fixed shoe and are held against axial rotation. Since any diameter of the shank of a rivet is thus moved around the axis of shaft 38 in intermittent 45 increments, such diameter will move through two increments, or 90 between points or stations 73 and 74. Hence, if a diameter at station 73 is vertical, the same diameter at station 74 is horizontal and a normally transverse diameter would bevertical at the latter station.

While the means 19 is preferably self locking to. hold shaft 48 stationary during continued rotation-of'shaft 62;

it is preferred to provide positive locking that would offset wear and/ or play. To this end the locking means 22 is provided, the same comprising a notched wheel 75 afiixed with the star wheel 68 to shaft 48, a dog 76 adapted to engage in notches 77 of wheel 75, a follower 78 carried by an arm 79 of said dog, and a cam 80 afiixed with wheel 66 to shaft 62. It will be realized that the dog and its arm pivots at 81 and that cam 80 are designed to bias said dog into locking engagement with wheel 75 during the stationary period of the turret head, thereby holding said head firmly locked and stationary during said continued rotation of shaft 62.

The'means 21 to drive thefeed control means. 18 is also operated from shaft 62. The means 21 comprises a gear train 82 that connects shaft 62 and the mentioned shaft 55. The latter shaft extends from bracket 32 and connects with gear train 57 to continuously drive the same and the escapement-reciprocating means '54.

The slotting head 23 is shown as comprising a housing 83 that mounts a transverse shaft 84 on the outer ends of which is carried a pair of similar saws or discs 52, above mentioned. Said saws are transversely spaced according to the transverse spacing of stations 73 and 74 of the turret head, and the axis of shaft 84 and of said saws is on the level of said stations. Thus, when the saws are rotated at high speed and are moved so their edges cut into the ends of rivets at stations 73 and 74, said rivet ends or shanks will be slotted. It will be clear that the rivet at, station 73 will receive its first slot and the one at station 74- its second or cross slot.

Shaft 84 is driven by a longitudinal shaft ssb means of angle-tooth gearing 86, a sleeve 87 is disposed around shaft and the same carries the housing83. In order that said housing be held non-rotational to hold the saws in their vertical disposition shown, the head 23 is provided with means to engage both rod 35 and shaft 62, the same being shown as respective sleeves 88 and 89 on a fitting 90 coaxially engaged around sleeve 87. A tapered collet 91 within fitting 90 locks the latter to sleeve 87 after said sleeve has been longitudinally adjustcd, as desired, so that the reciprocative stroke or movement of the slotting head may start and finish in proper relationship to the turret head 46. Because shaft 85 is driven at high speed to impart high cutting speed to the saws 52, the same is mounted in bearings 92 at each end of sleeve 87. The means 24 to drive shaft 85 is provided by a pulley 93 on the end of said shaft, the belt 94 of said pulley being driven by a motor (not shown) and extending rearwardly through an opening in housing cover 33.

In the above manner,.the saw blades are continuously driven at high speed and the axes of the same retained on a transverse horizontal line relative to the shank ends of two rivets being simultaneously slotted.

The means 25 to reciprocate the slotter head into and out of slotting position is shown as a cam 95 around sleeve 87 and aflixed to fitting 90 and, through collets 91, to sleeve 87, a cam follower 96 in the groove 97 of said cam, and a rotary drum 98 that mounts said follower and is provided with a sleeve extension 99 around the sleeve 87. Said sleeve extension is carried by bracket 31 as by means of bearings 100 and 101 which, although not shown in detail, may combine radial and thrust features that reduce the end and rotational loads on said bracket 31, as imparted by the means 24. The drum is retained against endwise movement by its face 102 that engages bearing 100 and thrust ring 103 on extension 99 that engages bearing 101.

Rotation of the drum 98 and of its cam follower 96 to effect reciprocation of the slotting head is effected by a pair of gears 104 that connect shafts 62 and sleeve extension 99. These are one-to-one gears that cause one revolution of the drum 98 for each one revolution of the wheel 66. Thus, for each full reciprocation of. the

slotting head 23, the turret head is revolution. V .7

The rivet-dislodging means 26 is shown in Figs. 1, and 8. The same comprises a radial arm 105- on the housing 83 of the slotting head, a bear-ing 106 on the end of said arm, and a spring-biased plunger 107 carried by said bearing and having an end 108 directed toward a station 109 of the turret head 46. Said station is the one immediately in advance of'the loading station at the top of the turret but maybe-any station between station 74 and the loading station;

Since the plunger end 108 easily fits the seats 4 it will be clear that each time the slotting head moves towards slotting position, said end 108 pushes against the projecting shank of a cross-slotted rivet to dislodge the same from its seat to fall into a chute that may be provided between the turret head and bracket 32.

While theforegoing has illustrated and described what is now contemplated to be the best mode of carrying out my invention, the construction is, of course, subject to modification without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention: It is, therefore, not desired to restrict the invention to the particular form of construction illustrated and described, but to cover all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

indexed one-eighth Having thus described my invention, what I claimand desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A cross-slotting machine comprising, in combination, an intermittently moving turret having a plurality of seats for receiving headed articles to be slotted, means to feed an article into one of said seats during a period of rest of the turret with the head of the article on the feed side of the turret, means to simultaneously dislodge an article from another of said seats, springbiased backing means having a fixed position relative to the turret and on the feed side of the turret and slidingly engaged with the tops of the heads of articles in each of the other turret seats to press the heads against the feed side of the turret and to hold said article axially non-rotational during movement of the turret, and means to slot the articles while so engaged and held.

2. A cross-slotting machine comprising, in combination, an intermittently moving turret having a plurality of seats for receiving headed articles to be slotted, means to feed an article into one of said seats during a period of rest of the turret with the head of the article on the feed side of the turret, means to simultaneously dislodge an article from another of said seats, springbiased backing means having a fixed position relative to the turret and on the feed side of the turret and slidingly engaged with the tops of the heads of articles in each of the other turret seats to press the heads against the feed side of the turret and to hold said article axially non-rotational during movement of the turret, and means disposed on the opposite side of the turret to simultaneously slot one article and cross-slot another while said articles are thus resiliently engaged and held.

3. A cross-slotting machine comprising, in combination, an intermittently moving turret having a plurality of seats for receiving headed articles to be slotted, means to feed an article into one of said seats during a period of rest of the turret with the head of the article on the feed side of the turret, means to simultaneously dislodge an article from another of said seats, spring-biased backing means on the feed side of the turret and engaged with the tops of the heads of articles in each of the other turret seats to press the heads against the feed side of the turret and to hold said article axially non-rotational during movement of the turret, and a slotting unit including two parallel slotting saws and disposed on the opposite side of the turret, said saws being transversely spaced according to and aligned with two of the articles carried by the turret, and means to reciprocate said unit between a projected slotting position and a retracted position, during said period of rest of the turret to slot one of said saw-aligned articles and cross-i slot the other while the same are engaged by the resilient;

against one face of-the turret and the shanksjpartlyl projecting beyond the opposite face, the seats centered on the axis of the turret, means to cross-slot the projecting ends of said rivets and portions-oftheshanks thereof within the seats, a shoe member having a fixed position relative to the rotating turret and concentrically arranged with the rivet seats and axially displaced therefrom on the head side of the turret, means to bias said shoe member in a direction toward the turret to impinge slidingly the rivet heads and hold the same non-rotationally in their seats.

5. In a cross-slotting machine according to claim 4, the shoe member being provided with a sharpened headimpinging edge that bites into and indents the rivet heads to obviate the mentioned rotation of the rivets.

6. In a rivet-slotting machine, a turret having a set of circumferentially arranged rivet-receiving apertures,

means to intermittently index the turret to intermittently advance the apertures around the axis of the turret, said apertures consittuting intermittently moving stations of which there is provided a rivet receiving station, a rivetdischarging station, two rivetshank slitting stations and at least one other station, the three latter stations being disposed around the circumference of the turret between the receiving and discharging stations, an arcuate shoe disposed concentrically with the turret and axially olfset therefrom, and means to resiliently bias said shoe in a direction toward the turret to impinge against the ends of the rivets only at the slotting and the one other station and therebetween to hold the rivets at said stations and during movement from one to the other of the latter stations non-rotationally.

7. A cross-slotting machine comprising, in combination, an intermittently moving turret having a plurality of seats for receiving the shanks of headed articles to be slotted, means to feed an article into one of said seats during a period of rest of the turret with the head of the article on one side of the turret and the shank thereof extending partly from the opposite side, means to simultaneously dislodge an article from another of said seats, fixed means on the side of the turret that has the article heads and relative to which the turret turns and including resilient means biased in a direction toward the turret and into endwise and sliding engagement with the top of the head of an article in each of the other seats of the turret to press the heads of the articles against the side of the turret and to resiliently hold the articles non-rotationally in their seats during turning movement of the turret, and means disposed on the side of the turret from which the article shanks extend to simultaneously slot the extending end of the shank of one of said articles and cross-slot the shank of another while the turret is at rest and the articles are resiliently held aginst both endwise retraction and rotation in their seats by the mentioned resilient means.

8. A cross-slotting machine comprising, incombination, an intermittently moving turret having a plurality of seats for receiving the shanks of headed articles to be slotted, means to feed an article into one of said seats during a period of rest of the turret with the head of the article on one side of the turret and the shank thereof extending partly from the opposite. side, means to simultaneously dislodge an article from another of said seats, fixed means on the side of the turret that has the article heads and relative to which the turret turns and including resilient means biased in a direction toward the turret and into endwise and sliding engagement with the top of the head of an article in each of the other seats of the turret to press the .eij shanks of headed rivets with the heads of said fives;

h 2,982,978 v 7 r 8 heads of the articlesagainst the side of the turret and slot the other while the same are engaged and held by t()- resiliently 'hold thearticles non-rotatiqnally in their the resilient means. seats during turning movement of the turret; and a e slotting unit including two parallel slotting saws and dis- References "cued the file of this P posed on the opposite side of the turret, said saws being 5 7 UNITED STATES PATENTS trensyersely spaced according to and aligned with two a 547,561 Morrissey G t 3 1395 of. the artieleslcarried by the turret, and means to recip-' 1, 15,533" Ehrman J 25 1927 rocate said unit between a projected s lotting positio n and 1,938,939 Smith Dec. 12, 1933 a retracted positipn during said period of rest'of the 2,540,058 Stern Jan. 30, 1951 turret tolslot one of said, saw-aligned articles and cross 10' 2,674,754 Hale p 13, 1954 

